Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light or dappled shade.

Can I grow it outdoors?

Only in tropical climates where temperatures stay above 10 degrees Celsius.

Plant guide

Parrot flower.

Impatiens psittacina

Pronounced im-PAY-shenz sit-uh-SEE-nuh

Also known as parrot-flower

Impatiens hawkeri — Photo by Ronnie (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The parrot flower is a rare and striking plant known for its unique blossoms that look just like a flying parrot. It's a tropical beauty that loves warmth and humidity. You'll find it's quite a special addition to any collection if you can provide the right environment.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Annual or tender perennial
Light: Partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late summer to autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to prevent root rot. Watch for drooping leaves as a sign that it needs more water or higher humidity. It thrives best in a greenhouse or a very humid indoor spot.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly damp to the touch at all times.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems to encourage a bushier shape and more blooms.
Repotting: Repot in the spring if the roots have filled the container.
Soil: Rich, well draining potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 2 to 3 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation if ingested or handled by sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the stems are succulent and easily broken, and ingestion may cause mouth irritation.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive people.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Flowers resemble a flying parrot
Purple and pink floral markings
Serrated lance shaped green leaves
Succulent stems with branching habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.5m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, pink, white, 2 to 4cm
Fruit: green, late autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Downy MildewCommon
Gray MoldUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors before temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Keep it in a bright, warm spot with high humidity throughout the winter months.
In containers: It is excellent for pots, provided you use a well draining mix and a container at least 20 centimeters wide.

Stem cuttings

Take a 10 centimeter cutting from a healthy, non flowering stem.
Remove the lower leaves to expose the nodes.
Place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting mix.
Keep in a warm, humid place out of direct sun until roots form.
Transplant into a small pot once roots are 2 centimeters long.

Group this plant with other moisture loving species to create a microclimate that helps maintain necessary humidity levels.

Grows well with

Ferns · They share similar requirements for shade and high moisture.
Begonias · They provide beautiful foliage contrast in the same humid, shaded environment.

Similar species

Busy Lizzie · It is a more common relative with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Thailand, Myanmar, and parts of India.
Conservation: It is considered rare in its native habitat and should never be collected from the wild.

It grows in moist, shaded forest floors where high humidity and consistent moisture are available.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental container plant, greenhouse specimen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light or dappled shade.
Can I grow it outdoors?: Only in tropical climates where temperatures stay above 10 degrees Celsius.

Where the name comes from

The common name Parrot Impatiens refers to the flower shape, while the scientific name uses the Latin word for parrot.

Good to know

The specific epithet psittacina means parrot like.
It requires very high humidity to thrive and bloom properly.
The plant was first described by Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1901.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.